Pope Leo upholds Fulton Sheen's legacy ahead of beatification

Vatican News

Pope Leo XIV has paid tribute to Venerable Fulton Sheen, highlighting the late American Archbishop’s media apostolate ahead of his beatification in Saint Louis, Missouri.

Speaking at the Wednesday General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope recalled the upcoming beatification, and held up Archbishop Sheen as an example for everyone engaged in evangelization.

“Tomorrow in Saint Louis, Missouri, Venerable Fulton Sheen will be beatified,” he said.

“May the example and intercession of this holy bishop, known for his evangelizing work through the media, inspire many others likewise to find new ways of spreading the Gospel message with joyful enthusiasm," said Pope Leo.

The beatification Mass will take place on Thursday afternoon, 24 September 2026, at The Dome at America’s Center in Saint Louis.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, will preside at the beatification Mass.

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According to the Diocese of Norwich, organizers expect nearly 45,000 pilgrims from 48 US states and twelve countries, together with more than 80 bishops and hundreds of priests.

Born in 1895 and known affectionately as “Uncle Fultie”, Archbishop Sheen became a familiar presence in American homes through his television programme Life Is Worth Living. The programme aired from 1952 to 1957 and attracted millions of viewers.

Archbishop Sheen, who studied in Washington and at the University of Louvain in Belgium, won an Emmy Award, receiving the honour for Most Outstanding Personality in 1953.

In 1966, Pope Paul VI appointed him Bishop of Rochester, in New York. He resigned from the leadership of the diocese three years later, but continued his public ministry until his death in December 1979.